We delve into the final section of Ryan Holiday's "The Obstacle is the Way," exploring how will—the discipline of the heart and soul—creates an inner fortress that no external adversity can break.

• Will represents quiet humility, resilience, and flexibility rather than forceful determination
• Abraham Lincoln's depression became his strength, teaching him to lead with dignity during America's Civil War
• The "inner citadel" concept describes the core part of ourselves that remains untouchable by external circumstances
• Building self-confidence and resilience requires facing obstacles rather than avoiding them
• Theodore Roosevelt overcame severe asthma through discipline, preparing him for greater challenges
• The path of least resistance teaches us nothing—we need struggle to develop true character
• Will is about surrendering the desire to control others while maintaining control over our own reactions
• Life's hardships will test everyone; the question is whether we've built the inner strength to face them

If you're interested in leadership development experiences based on historical figures like Lincoln, reach out to Denise for information about immersive programs she's led for teams.

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Denise and Sam explore the "Action" section of Ryan Holiday's book "The Obstacle is the Way," focusing on how to seize opportunities in crisis and transform obstacles into advantages.

• The Japanese art of Kintsugi illuminates how broken pottery repaired with gold becomes more valuable than before
• Taking swift action when opportunities arise separates successful people from those who merely dream
• Preparation must happen before opportunities present themselves - when the moment comes, it's too late to prepare
• Crises provide unique opportunities to implement changes that would be impossible during normal times
• Leaders who guide teams through difficult times often inspire greater loyalty than those who only lead during good times
• Successful people iterate faster, trying and failing many times while others are still planning
• Being prepared for failure is essential—the key is accepting results quickly and moving forward
• The will to persevere cannot be affected by outside circumstances, making it our most powerful internal resource

Join us next week as we conclude our book discussion by exploring the final section on "Will" and how to maintain perseverance in the face of obstacles.

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Sam and Denise explore how to transform obstacles into opportunities by approaching challenges with strategic patience and focused energy rather than immediate reaction.

• Using obstacles against themselves requires stepping back and allowing some problems to "fizzle out" on their own
• Non-action can be a powerful form of action when dealing with emotional situations or seemingly immovable obstacles
• Channeling frustration into focused energy creates more sustainable results than emotional reactions
• The "long game" approach often outperforms immediate gratification in both sports and business settings
• Humility is essential when facing obstacles—sometimes admitting the original path isn't working opens new possibilities
• Acting versus "acting out" determines whether obstacles derail us or become opportunities for growth
• Strategic thinking and intentional actions often prove more effective than constant activity

We're continuing our journey through "The Obstacle is the Way" with two final chapters next week focusing on seizing the offensive and preparing for when things don't work out. Subscribe to catch both this show and our exclusive edition series on "Extreme Ownership" hosted by our producer Zach Elliott.

Connect with us on our LinkedIn page School of Thoughts . We also value your reviews, subscribing, and sharing our podcast "What's On Your Bookshelf?" on Apple and Spotify.

Subscribe to our new YouTube channel.